Friday the 28th: Denali National Park, Alaska
Arrived here at the end of the day with amazing weather. We checked in at the visitor center to find all of the shuttle buses full and most of the campsites full. So, we had to walk in our gear (park the car in a lot and tent on the outskirts) till tomorrow when we'll be tenting with the car nearby. Things fill up fast in the parks and this area is no exception, especially considering its peak season is only two months long.

Unlike most National Parks, you can't really drive into this one. You can either hike in or take a shuttle bus. Because of this, the buses fill up fast, especially today as you really only get a few clear days (!) to see Denali (aka Mount McKinley). So, because the weather was clear and because we arrived late in the day from Fairbanks, everything was full.

Still we don't have any regrets. The park is beautiful and we were able to see Denali from about seventy five miles away on the fifteen mile road the park lets you drive on. Pretty breathtaking.

Below is fireweed that grows everywhere (in Canada too). Below that is, well, Denali. It's the cloud mass in the lower right. Took a snapshot of the roadside interpretation to help guide you. Apparently, even on clear days, Denali can still be covered in clouds as it has its own weather system. As a result, less than 30% of visitors get to see Denali. So, today was one of the few exceptions....lucky for us.

Oh, and the mountain climbing season has ended for the year. Unfortunately, one person died several weeks ago on their descent...pretty intense information.